I Would Ask You To Dance (Mareven)

Part Ten: Part Six (Gisa)

Last chapter in the Part Ten special!

The campfire was dying out and the ambers where flying everywhere in the strong wind. If we didn't get going soon, the whole forest might be set ablaze. Hopefully, Kilorn was covering for me back at Notch, but I couldn't be sure. We need to move fast, but Alex, the Jumper I had brought with me, could only go so far before needing a break. At this rate it would only take us a few more jumps, all without need a break in between, as long as Alex got a few more minutes of sleep. I got up with a sudden urge to do something. I grabbed the pale next to the fire and dumped it out on the ground. I was bored and a walk to the river seemed nice.

As long as the fire was still going, Alex should assume that I would be back soon, but I should probably hurry anyways. The leaves crunched under my feet showing that it hadn't rained recently. If we hadn't been to the river when we first jumped here, I might worry that any water nearby had dried up. As I walked down to the river, I pulled the map out and checked the markings. Before I had left, I marked down all the locations that we would jump to. The hardest part of it all was finding a Jumper willing to go this far and back, and face Shade's wrath. Alex was the only Jumper who was willing to go, but his only request was that I tried to talk Mare into helping his family out of the war. I told him that I would, but Mare was a prisoner and I couldn't imagine that she'd have much say in anything like that.

After a few minutes the river came into sight. I smiled at how the river reminded me so much of Kiloren. He was really the only person I would miss. Of course there were my parents and brothers, but I had gone without seeing my parents before while I was an apprentice and my brothers had been away at war before. Kilorn, though, I had just kissed him and now I had to be away from him. I shook his face out of my head as I remembered the mission at hand. I bent down at the river bank and filled the pail with water. Thankfully the pail wasn't heavy and the walk back wasn't far. All the jumping had made me somewhat disoriented and carrying anything too heavy might make me tip over.

When I got back to the makeshift camp, Alex was already up and sitting by the fire. He offered me a smile and stood up. I took a quick glance around and noticed that his sleeping bag was already rolled up and packed away in his bag.

"Did you miss the fire trying to put it out?" He joked.

"I got bored," I stated simply.

"Ah, I see," he walked over to me and grabbed the pale, "But it wouldn't hurt to be safe now, would it?" He emptied the pale over the fire.

I laughed, "No I guess not," neither of us said anything for a while, "Are you ready to get going?" I ask.

"Yeah," he nodded, "How many more jumps do I have?"

"Um," I don't have to pull out the map to check, I've already memorized it, but I do anyways, "Two more," I hand him the map, "And you can keep this, in case you need it for the way back."

He studies the map for a moment before putting his hand on my shoulders, "Ready?"

I nod just before the word collapses around me. A few moments later we're in an open plane, trees on either side of us. I took a step back and took in the sights around me. I knew Alex would need a quick minute to catch his breath before we took our last jump together, so I gave him space. The field's grass came up just past my ankles, tickling the bare skin between my shoes and the skirt I was wearing.

"Remember to ask your sister," he reminded me.

"Of course," I continue to look at my surroundings but then I realize something, "Are you sure there's nothing else I could do for you?"

"I'm sure. I'm sure you understand the importance of family, that's why you're doing this, aren't you?"

"Mare has done so much to save me, it's my turn to save her, " I agree.

"Okay then," he put his hands on my shoulders again and smiled, "Let's go."

When we appeared again, we were only a mile from the Silver base. I looked at Alex with a smile and gave him a hug. I could tell he was smiling also by his arms wrapping tighter around me. When we pulled away I looked into his eyes and hugged him again.

Finally when we both stepped back he gave me a hard look, "Be careful Gisa. I haven't know you long, but I don't want to see you get hurt."

"You too, you have to deal with my brother. If it helps you can blame it all on me," I laugh.

"Thanks," he chuckled, "I'll tell Kiloren you made it here alright, too."

Before I could say goodbye, he had popped away. I didn't question how he knew about Kilorn, he was a smart kid, but I did question why he care. I assumed it was probably to keep me unnerved or to relax slightly, but whatever the case, I was strangely at ease. I pulled my backpack up high on my back and looked at the trail ahead of me. In just a few minutes I'd be en route to see my sister, no, save my sister, from that horrible monster. I've heard Cal tell some of the New Bloods about silent stone, and I can only imagine the different ways Maven has hidden the silent stone on Mare. When I see the monster next, I'll kill him. No. I have to make him believe that the only reason that I was ever in league with the Scarlet Guard was because I couldn't bare being seperated from my sister. That I was coming here to be with her again and that I was in support of her marriage. With one last glance to where Alex was last standing, I took off down the trail.

*****

After fifteen minutes of walking, the Silver base came into view. I was still hidden behind the trees, but too much noise or movement would alert the guards. I quickly ran through my lines over again. Once I was sure I had got them down, I searched the base for the patrol. It took a few minutes from the to come around to this side of the base, but when they did, I walked out of my hiding spot, looking like a lost child. Almost immediately, the patrol party came rushing towards me. The guard on the left drew two metal blades from his belt and the second drew water from his canteen.

"Stay right there young lady!" The first guard yelled.

I did as I was told, "What are you doing here Red?" The same guard asked.

"I'm looking for my sister," I tried my best to sound scared and alone.

"Well, move along," He said gruffly.

"You don't have to be as could as your metal Samos," the second guard retorted, "Why don't you tell us your name and your sister's name and we'll see what we can do?" He suggested.

I offered him a small smile, "Thank you," the first guard grunted, "My name is Gisa, and I believe you know my sister by the name: Mareena Titanos."

Word Count: 1029

Thanks for hanging in there and waiting for me to finish. I should have my next chapter out by the seventh! The next chapter will have some cute Mareven scenes in it!